PEORIA — As expected, the Peoria District 150 School Board approved its part of a three-part process to begin construction of athletic fields at Peoria High School.

Board members unanimously passed a resolution to expand the athletic fields during at a short special board meeting Wednesday.

Peoria City Council members approved zoning changes for the fields Tuesday. The Public Building Commission is scheduled to vote on the project Thursday.

Plans include building softball, baseball, track and soccer fields on about 12 acres bounded by Richmond Avenue, Sheridan Road, Nebraska Avenue and North Street. Meanwhile, the district plans to use Peoria Stadium for high school football at least one more season. Together, the two developments mean discussions about what to do with the stadium have been kicked down the road.

The school board members’ vote conveys the land to the Public Building Commission, which will oversee the construction project. The estimated $3 million cost of the expansion will be paid with money left over from bonds issued for earlier projects.

District 150 spent about $935,000 to purchase about 30 properties for the project. The money came from a $34 million state grant for capital projects.

Board members Linda Butler and Lynne Costic wanted assurances that neighborhood residents be made aware of construction timelines and possible street closures.

The board also approved an easement agreement with Illinois American Water, giving the water company access to a water main in the outfield area if it breaks. The main runs under Woodruff Boulevard.

Pam Adams can be reached at 686-3245 or padams@pjstar.com. Follow her on Twitter @padamspam.